Acas said about 300 referrals to the service are being received every week on average, and expects this number to rise to about 400 during 2010.

Ed Sweeney, Acas chairman, said: “This data indicates that workers and employers are increasingly taking steps to avoid employment tribunals. The current economic climate has created difficult workplace challenges for managers, HR professionals and employees. The earlier issues can be resolved, the more likely people will remain in productive employment in the workplace.

“The service is quick. More than half of all resolved cases are completed in about three weeks instead of the six to nine months that most tribunal claims take. We have a responsibility to support the economic recovery by resolving workplace disputes early on to avoid costly, stressful and time-consuming employment tribunals.”